Match Preview: Netherlands U21s v Scotland U21s

Scotland Under-21s continue their UEFA Under-21 European Championship qualifying with a trip to the Netherlands today.

Scot Gemmil's side go into this match off the back of Thursday's 3-0 victory over Andorra at Tynecastle Park.

Stadion De Vijverberg in Doetinchem provides the venue for today's match – the 12,600 capacity stadium is the home of Eredivisie side De Graafschap.

Previous Meetings

Today's match presents the reverse fixture of September 2017's encounter with the Netherlands. On that occasion Oliver Burke and Stephen Mallan grabbed the goals to ensure a 2-0 win in Paisley.

Keep up to date

Keep up to speed with tonight's match via the official Scotland national team Twitter account @ScotlandNT which will have regular live updates.

Pre-match thoughts

Ross McCrorie hopes Scotland’s Under-21s can use the senior side as an inspiration ahead of tonight’s game against the Netherlands.

Scot Gemmill’s squad gathered as a group to watch Alex McLeish and his team open their UEFA Nations League campaign with a win over Albania.

With Under-21 regular John Souttar a stand-out in his first competitive appearance, McCrorie and his team-mates needn’t look far for motivation against the highly-rated Dutch.

He said: “We all watched the game together and obviously everyone was delighted with the result.

“Scotland played really well as a team from start to finish and took their chances. It was a great way to start the Nations League.

“We’re all used to playing with John in the younger age-groups so it was especially pleasing to see him play the way he did. We wouldn’t expect anything less.

“I think that also reminds the boys here that if you work hard and keep the head down then the senior squad isn’t an unrealistic target.

“We showed we could beat the Dutch last year in Paisley. We’re extremely talented and the team is probably better than it was back then, but we know they’re also very highly regarded and have had some big results of their own. It’s one we’re looking forward to.”

McCrorie wore the armband in Thursday’s defeat of Andorra and looks set to get the nod again this time around.

As someone whose attitude is often praised by Gemmill and his staff, McCrorie has taken the added responsibility in his stride.

He added: “It’s an honour for me to captain Scotland’s Under-21s. I didn’t expect it as I missed our last two games with an injury.

“It’s special for me and my family. I’ve been captain at different age-groups but the Under-21s tops it off.

“I’ll say a few words to the boys before the game then try to do my talking on the pitch. I like to think I’m a leader in the way I play.”

Gemmill, meanwhile, admits nothing has been left to chance ahead of a real test for his players.

He said: “The preparation needs to be correct but obviously picking the right players to play in that manner has to be right too.

“We’re lucky in this squad to have a good balance.

“The Netherlands have improved since we beat them and a lot of their players have gone from the fringes to being proper first-team players.

“A couple of them were involved for the full squad against France in Paris on Sunday night, such as Luuk de Jong.

“We had a game plan against them at home and it worked. We’ll need similar tactical discipline this time.

“For this game we need to make it as hard as possible for them to play as there’s no doubt they’re a top team. They will just cut through you if the shape isn’t correct.

“It’s a huge test for the players because our team is also very different to the one that played in Paisley. It’s a new challenge for a new set of players.”